Three Prisoners Executed in Karaj Central Prison

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, three prisoners previously sentenced to death for separate murder convictions were executed in Karaj Central Prison.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, confirmed the identities of the executed individuals as Majid Afrouz (52), Mohammad Mashmool, and Ebrahim Sedigh.

A source informed HRANA that the prisoners had been sentenced by judicial authorities in separate murder cases and were being held in Ward 7 of Karaj Central Prison before their executions.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the executions.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.

Two Prisoners Executed in Choobindar Prison, Qazvin

On Wednesday, October 9, two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges were executed in Choobindar Prison, Qazvin.

Based on information received by HRANA, the prisoners had been previously arrested on murder charges and sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

Further details, including the identities of the prisoners, are currently being investigated by HRANA.

As of the time this report was compiled, the executions had not yet been officially confirmed by prison officials or relevant authorities.

In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.

Teacher Union Activist Iraj Toubaeiha Sentenced to Prison and Fine

Iraj Toubaeiha (Najafabadi), a member of the Najafabad Teachers’ Trade Association, has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined by the Isfahan Appeals Court. This sentence follows a prior ruling where he was sentenced to six years in prison, two years of exile, and an additional fine in a separate part of his case.

According to the recent verdict from Branch 34, the two-year prison sentence and fine for Mr. Toubaeiha have been upheld. Earlier, Branch 102 of the Najafabad Criminal Court convicted him of “spreading false information with the intent to disturb public opinion,” resulting in a two-year prison term and a fine of 10 million Tomans.

In another part of his case, in May of this year, Toubaeiha was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Najafabad Revolutionary Court to six years of imprisonment, two years of exile, and a fine. This decision was later confirmed by Branch 37 of the Isfahan Appeals Court.

Toubaeiha has a history of previous arrests, having been detained for 35 days in the fall of 2022, 5 days in the spring of 2023, and 13 days in the fall of 2023.

Hassan Abbasi and Farshid Ma’naie Indicted

The Fourth Branch of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Bandar Abbas has issued arrest warrants for Hassan Abbasi, a journalist, and Farshid Ma’naie, the CEO of the Hormozgan Spinal Cord Injury Association.

Abbasi revealed that the Prosecutor’s Office found both him and Ma’naie guilty of “making false statements and spreading misinformation.” In 2022, the Bandar Abbas Prosecutor initiated legal action against them over their criticism of the judiciary.

Additionally, Abbasi faces further complaints from multiple entities, including the Welfare Organization, the Governor’s Office, the General Department of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare, as well as the Hormozgan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture.

Recently, Abbasi received a summons from the prosecutor’s office for his final defense on charges of “disturbing public order, defamation, insulting officials and agents, and spreading false information.” He was called to present his defense before the court.

On May 21, 2024, security forces detained Abbasi in Bandar Abbas. However, he was released after several hours.

Abbasi has a history of arrests and legal challenges due to his professional activities. He is currently an editorial board member of Tabnak, a news website, and a member of the Tehran Journalists Association, with past collaborations including work with Mehr News Agency.

Two Prisoners Executed in Urmia Prison

At dawn on October 10, two prisoners convicted of non-political offenses, including drug-related charges, were executed in Urmia Prison.

HRANA identified one of the executed individuals as Borhan Ansari, a resident of Urmia. Mr. Ansari was arrested three years ago on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. The second prisoner, originally from Bukan, had also been sentenced to death for similar offenses.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have yet to publicly confirm the executions.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

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Execution of Seven Individuals in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

At dawn October 9, at least seven prisoners were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Among those executed were Ahmad Narooie, Mohammad Narooie, and Kamran Saghaie, who had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court for drug-related charges. Additionally, the Criminal Court sentenced two Afghan nationals to death for rape. The remaining two prisoners, who had been convicted of murder, included Arman Hedayati, whose identity was verified by HRANA.

Ahmad Narooie and Mohammad Narooie were from Sistan and Baluchestan, and Kamran Saghaie was from Khorramabad. The Narooie brothers were previously arrested in Tehran for possessing 25 kilograms of crystal meth and were sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. Saghaie was arrested in Shahriar for trafficking 700 kilograms of morphine and later received a death sentence.

Details about other executed individuals, as reported by Etemad newspaper, are as follows:

According to Etemad, one of the two prisoners convicted of murder had killed his father in 2007 during a family dispute. Initially, he attempted to murder his 10-year-old niece to take revenge on his brother but ultimately killed his father. After his trial and sentencing, he was granted a temporary reprieve by the victim’s family but was executed once this period expired, as he failed to obtain their pardon.

The second individual was a man who, in 2021, killed his neighbor over a personal dispute and then burned the body. Despite attempts to obtain the victim’s family’s consent, he was executed after the failed negotiations.

Etemad also reported, without revealing the identities of the Afghan prisoners, that they were sentenced to death for a gang rape that took place in 2019 in western Tehran. The incident occurred when the victim, a woman, visited a villa and was assaulted by seven Afghan men. Six members of this group received death sentences, with two being executed last week and two others yesterday. The remaining two defendants are currently awaiting execution in prison.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Mohammad Ahmadi, Creator of “Dialogue Iran,” Arrested by Security Forces

Mohammad Ahmadi, a social researcher and creator of the talk show Dialogue Iran, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, October 8, and taken to an undisclosed location.

Although the exact reason for Mr. Ahmadi’s arrest remains unclear, it is speculated that his detention may be connected to the interviews and discussions aired on his YouTube channel, Dialogue Iran.

Ahmadi, known for his work in social research, has used the Dialogue Iran platform to engage in critical conversations and explore social issues. The program, broadcast on YouTube, has gained attention for its candid discussions on various topics.

Journalist Hossein Jafarian Sentenced to Imprisonment

Hossein Jafarian, a journalist from Ajabshir located East Azerbaijan province, has been sentenced to 13 months and 16 days in prison by the Second Criminal Court of this city.

A source told HRANA, “Based on the verdict issued by the Second Criminal Court of Ajabshir on Sunday, October 6, 2024, and communicated to Mr. Jafarian, he was sentenced to 13 months and 16 days in prison for the charge of ‘spreading false information on the Internet.’”

The source added that the basis for the charge was related to his stories published on his personal Instagram account.

Jafarian is a journalist for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and the manager of the virtual media outlet Farhang Ajabshir. He also has a background working with Fars News Agency.

Four Prisoners, Including a Juvenile Offender, Executed in Karaj and Zahedan

Today, October 9, the death sentences of four prisoners, including a juvenile offender previously convicted of drug-related charges and murder, were carried out in Zahedan and Ghezel Hesar prisons in Karaj, accroding to Haal Vsh.

The identities of these hanged prisoners have been reported as follows: Ahmad Narooie, 33, and Mohammad Eshaq-Zahi, 31, both residents of Zahedan; Mehdi Brahooie, 21; and Saeed Safaie, approximately 55 years old, Kermanshah.

According to the report, Mehdi Brahooie was arrested in 2019 at the age of 17 on murder charges following a group altercation in Khash. After spending about two years in the Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center, he was transferred to Zahedan Prison. He was eventually sentenced to death by the Juvenile Court of Sistan and Baluchestan Province and was moved to solitary confinement on Sunday, October 6, in preparation for his execution, which was carried out in Zahedan Prison.

Additionally, Narooie and Eshaq-Zahi were arrested in 2020 in Tehran, along with three others, in a joint case on drug-related charges. They were sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Saeed Safaie, a retired teacher, was also arrested on drug-related charges in 2018. The executions of these three individuals were carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

At the time of this report’s publication, the prison authorities and responsible organizations have yet to officially announce the executions.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.

Edris Karsaz Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Edris (Idris) Karsaz, a resident of Oshnavieh, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of this city, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Based on the verdict recently communicated to Mr. Karsaz, the Oshnavieh Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three years in prison for charges related to “membership and collaboration with an anti-regime group.”

On July 3, 2023, Edris Karsaz was arrested by security forces at his home in Oshnavieh without a judicial warrant and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia. He was eventually released on bail from Oshnavieh Prison on August 21.

Karsaz is 55 years old and a resident of Oshnavieh.